Monday, December 26, 2011


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR: Tenn. Imams' Suit Accuses Delta of Passenger Profiling

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/19/11) –- The Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR) and United Firm of Carolina Law (UFC Law) today announced the filing of a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines for removing two Islamic religious leaders, or imams, from a flight to a conference on Islamophobia in Charlotte, N.C., earlier this year after the pilot refused to fly with them on board.

CAIR and UFC Law attorneys announced the lawsuit at a news conference earlier today at Memphis International Airport in Tennessee. Interfaith leaders also took part in the news conference.

Video: Tenn. Imams to File Delta Profiling Suit Monday (CAIR)
Lawsuit Claims Pilot Refused to Fly Muslims (WBTV)
Muslims Kicked Off Flight Sue Delta Air Lines (Commercial Appeal)

The lawsuit states in part:

"Despite having been cleared twice by TSA agents, Defendants' pilot took the matter into his own hands when he chose to eject Plaintiffs from the flight based on arbitrary and capricious reasons, including his personal preconceived notions of race, religion, and national origin."

According to the lawsuit, the defendants violated both a federal law preventing an air carrier from subjecting a passenger to "discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or ancestry" and a Tennessee law that prohibits denying an individual the "full and equal enjoyment of the. . .advantages and accommodations of a place of public accommodation. . .on the grounds of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin."

The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction that would prohibit the defendants from "singling out passengers for mistreatment based on their perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, alienage, ancestry, and/or national origin" and order them to "take all affirmative steps necessary to remedy the effects of the illegal, discriminatory conduct described herein and to prevent similar occurrences in the future." It also seeks attorneys' fees and compensatory and punitive damages against Delta and Atlantic Southeast Airlines "in an amount to be determined at trial."

To read the entire lawsuit, CLICK HERE.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
Subscribe to CAIR's E-Mail List
Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed
Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR: Tenn. Imams' Suit Accuses Delta of Passenger Profiling

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/19/11) –- The Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR) and United Firm of Carolina Law (UFC Law) today announced the filing of a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines for removing two Islamic religious leaders, or imams, from a flight to a conference on Islamophobia in Charlotte, N.C., earlier this year after the pilot refused to fly with them on board.

CAIR and UFC Law attorneys announced the lawsuit at a news conference earlier today at Memphis International Airport in Tennessee. Interfaith leaders also took part in the news conference.

Video: Tenn. Imams to File Delta Profiling Suit Monday (CAIR)
Lawsuit Claims Pilot Refused to Fly Muslims (WBTV)
Muslims Kicked Off Flight Sue Delta Air Lines (Commercial Appeal)

The lawsuit states in part:

"Despite having been cleared twice by TSA agents, Defendants' pilot took the matter into his own hands when he chose to eject Plaintiffs from the flight based on arbitrary and capricious reasons, including his personal preconceived notions of race, religion, and national origin."

According to the lawsuit, the defendants violated both a federal law preventing an air carrier from subjecting a passenger to "discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or ancestry" and a Tennessee law that prohibits denying an individual the "full and equal enjoyment of the. . .advantages and accommodations of a place of public accommodation. . .on the grounds of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin."

The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction that would prohibit the defendants from "singling out passengers for mistreatment based on their perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, alienage, ancestry, and/or national origin" and order them to "take all affirmative steps necessary to remedy the effects of the illegal, discriminatory conduct described herein and to prevent similar occurrences in the future." It also seeks attorneys' fees and compensatory and punitive damages against Delta and Atlantic Southeast Airlines "in an amount to be determined at trial."

To read the entire lawsuit, CLICK HERE.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
Subscribe to CAIR's E-Mail List
Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed
Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Launches 2012 'Muslims Vote' Campaign

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/20/2011) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today launched its 2012 "Muslims Vote" campaign designed to empower American Muslims by increasing their political capacity and presence.

CAIR's initiative -- launched two weeks before the January 3 Iowa Caucus -- includes a2012 presidential voter guide, an online voter registration tool, a video promoting online voter registration, and the Twitter hashtag "#MuslimsVote." CAIR has also mailed allpresidential candidates its 2012 election questionnaire.

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization's non-partisan voter campaign will focus on ensuring that American Muslims actively participate in the 2012 election cycle by volunteering in election campaigns, registering to vote, hosting candidate forums, and by mobilizing other community members through "get out the vote" initiatives.

CAIR will also pay special attention to Muslim voters under the age of 30 who -- like all Americans of that age -- are under-represented on voter rolls.

"We're calling on all American Muslims to fulfill their civic responsibility by doing their part in the upcoming presidential election," said CAIR Government Affairs Coordinator Robert McCaw. "We are committed to making sure our community's voice is heard in this critical election cycle."

"With large concentrations of Muslim voters in key swing states -- such as Ohio, Florida, Virginia, and Michigan -- the American Muslim community has the potential to be influential in determining the next president of the United States," said McCaw.

Components of CAIR's 2012 "Muslims Vote" election campaign include:

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

-- END --

CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Coordinator Robert McCaw, Tel: 202-742-6448, E-Mail: rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, E-Mail: csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail:ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


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CAIR Action Alert:

Don't Let Lowe's Off the Hook for Appeasing Anti-Muslim Bigotry
Take a letter to your local Lowe's store manager, post a photo online

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/21/2011) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today urged all people of conscience to continue to hold Lowe's corporate headquarters accountable for its decision to appease anti-Muslim bigotry by delivering a letter of protest to a store manager and posting a photo of that action online. Nearly 250,000 people have already expressed their disappointment in Lowe's.

A sample letter to Lowe's managers provided by CAIR states in part: "Lowe's should agree to undertake reasonable actions to show the broader American public that it's business model includes no room for bigotry. Until that time, we have no interest in your products."

The home improvement chain recently pulled its advertising from TLC's new reality series "All-American Muslim" because of an anti-Muslim campaign initiated by fringe right-wing groups like the Florida Family Association (FFA) and Internet hate sites such as "Bare Naked Islam" -- which recently featured a number of threats of violence targeting U.S. and European mosques. The hate groups objected to the show's non-stereotypical portrayals of American Muslims.

CAIR's Islamophobe Profile: Florida Family Association
Waging a One Man War on American Muslims (NY Times)

Lowe's officials have ignored requests to meet with community organizations.

A number of spontaneous protests have take place outside Lowe's stores nationwide and the retailer was forced to delete thousands of anti-Muslim comments from its Facebook page.

CAIR: Lowe's Stores Face Protests for Pulling Ads from 'All American Muslim'
CAIR: Lowe's in Facebook Hell as Racist Comments Pile Up

"Lowe's seems to be betting that the upcoming holidays will distract people from the corporation's decision to appease anti-Muslim bigots," said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor. "If everyone takes a few simple steps we can remind Lowe's that caving in to bigotry is a bad business model."

Saylor noted that numerous politicians, celebrities and journalists have already spoken out against the decision to pull the ads. This week a group of Baptist and Jewish leaders delivered a petition with 200,000 signatures to Lowe's headquarters. A separate petition has over 40,000 signatures and is growing.

CAIR is working in coordination with the National Boycott Lowe's Network and the Boycott Bigotry campaign.

ACTION REQUESTED (As always, be polite but persistent. Forward this alert to your friends and family and ask them to take similar actions.)

1) Deliver a letter to Lowe's and take a picture. (For Muslims this is a simple action to take right before or after Jummah prayers.)

  • Find a Lowe's outlet near you.
  • Print a letter and have some friends and family join you in signing it. To print out the letter, go here.
  • Make a sign that says "Boycott Bigotry."
  • Go to your local Lowe's.
  • Take a picture outside with your sign and the Lowe's logo.
  • Deliver the letter to the store manager and ask him or her to send it to the regional manager.
  • Later, post your photo on Boycott Bigotry, your Facebook and on Twitter (Sample: @Lowes caves to bigots over "All-American Muslim" so I will take my money elsewhere #boycottbigotry)

2) Friend both "Boycott Bigotry" and the "National Lowe's Boycott Network" on Facebook. These networks will keep you looped in and offer you additional ways to reject bigotry.


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CAIR-FL: Candles Help Remember 61 Homeless People Who Died in 2011
"Each time a person dies homeless on our streets, a part of our humanity dies with them," said Hassan Shibly, executive director of [CAIR-Tampa].
34 Congress Members Call for Probe of NYPD-CIA Spying on Muslims

CAIR GOOD NEWS ALERT:

CAIR: New Army Policy Will Allow JROTC Hijabs, Turbans

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/22/11) –- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced today that the Department of Defense (DOD) will begin allowing Muslim and Sikh students who wear an Islamic head scarf (hijab) or a turban to participate in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC).

In October, the Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization wrote to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta after a 14-year-old Muslim student at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., was forced to transfer out of a JROTC class when her commanding officers told her she could not wear hijab while marching in the September homecoming parade.

SEE: JROTC's Head Scarf Rule Keeps Tenn. Girl from Parade
JROTC Examines Rules After Headscarf Complaint
Video: Tenn. Muslim Student Not Allowed to Wear Hijab in JROTC (CAIR)

CAIR requested constitutionally-protected religious accommodations for the girl and for future Muslim JROTC participants.

SEE: CAIR Letter to DOD

In a December 19 letter sent to CAIR, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Larry Stubblefield wrote:

"I have been asked to respond on behalf of the Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta to your October 13, 2011 letter concerning Miss Demin Zawity's request to wear a religious head covering (hijab) while participating in an Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) event at Ravenwood High School.

"Based on your concerns, the Army has reviewed its JROTC uniform policy and will develop appropriate procedures to provide Cadets the opportunity to request the wear of religious head dress, such as the turban and hijab. This change will allow Miss Zawity and other students the chance to fully participate in the JROTC program. Additionally, a representative from the U.S. Army Cadet Command will contact Miss Zawity and provide her the opportunity to rejoin the Ravenwood High School JROTC unit.

"The Army prides itself in being a diverse organization, comprised of individuals from many faiths and religions. We appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention."

"We welcome the fact that Muslim and Sikh students nationwide will now be able to participate fully in JROTC leadership activities while maintaining their religious beliefs and practices," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
Subscribe to CAIR's E-Mail List
Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed
Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel

-- END -–


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CAIR-FL: Candles Help Remember 61 Homeless People Who Died in 2011
"Each time a person dies homeless on our streets, a part of our humanity dies with them," said Hassan Shibly, executive director of [CAIR-Tampa].
34 Congress Members Call for Probe of NYPD-CIA Spying on Muslims

CAIR GOOD NEWS ALERT:

CAIR: New Army Policy Will Allow JROTC Hijabs, Turbans

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/22/11) –- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced today that the Department of Defense (DOD) will begin allowing Muslim and Sikh students who wear an Islamic head scarf (hijab) or a turban to participate in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC).

In October, the Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization wrote to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta after a 14-year-old Muslim student at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., was forced to transfer out of a JROTC class when her commanding officers told her she could not wear hijab while marching in the September homecoming parade.

SEE: JROTC's Head Scarf Rule Keeps Tenn. Girl from Parade
JROTC Examines Rules After Headscarf Complaint
Video: Tenn. Muslim Student Not Allowed to Wear Hijab in JROTC (CAIR)

CAIR requested constitutionally-protected religious accommodations for the girl and for future Muslim JROTC participants.

SEE: CAIR Letter to DOD

In a December 19 letter sent to CAIR, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Larry Stubblefield wrote:

"I have been asked to respond on behalf of the Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta to your October 13, 2011 letter concerning Miss Demin Zawity's request to wear a religious head covering (hijab) while participating in an Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) event at Ravenwood High School.

"Based on your concerns, the Army has reviewed its JROTC uniform policy and will develop appropriate procedures to provide Cadets the opportunity to request the wear of religious head dress, such as the turban and hijab. This change will allow Miss Zawity and other students the chance to fully participate in the JROTC program. Additionally, a representative from the U.S. Army Cadet Command will contact Miss Zawity and provide her the opportunity to rejoin the Ravenwood High School JROTC unit.

"The Army prides itself in being a diverse organization, comprised of individuals from many faiths and religions. We appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention."

"We welcome the fact that Muslim and Sikh students nationwide will now be able to participate fully in JROTC leadership activities while maintaining their religious beliefs and practices," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
Subscribe to CAIR's E-Mail List
Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed
Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel

-- END -–


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  • Verses: We Believe in God and the Revelation Given to Abraham, Moses, Jesus
    “Say: ‘We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them. . .”
  • CAIR Condemns Attacks on Nigerian Churches
    [CAIR] today condemned bomb attacks on churches in Nigeria that left at least 35 people dead and many more injured. In a statement, CAIR said:
    “We condemn the unconscionable and inexcusable attacks on Nigerian churches and offer sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed or injured. Only a strong demonstration of interfaith unity will show those behind the attacks that they will never achieve their goal of dividing society along religious lines.”
  • CAIR-MI: Jews, Muslims Lend a Holiday Helping Hand
    Although the volunteer opportunities run the gamut and are wide-ranging, they are always filled and volunteers often find themselves scrambling to find an opportunity to help out, said Muzammil Ahmed of Michigan's [CAIR].
  • Video: CAIR Stands Up for Your Civil Rights
  • PA: ‘They Did Not Want a Muslim or a Muslim Book Read in Their Classrooms’
    Lisa Abdelsalam said she feels "like she swallowed poison" in the days since the threat of parental protests caused the Muslim mother and author to cancel a talk with students at A.M. Kulp Elementary School in Hatfield.
    • New York Times Slams Lowe's: An All-American Misstep
      It is incredibly sad that one person with his own one-man hate group can tap into anti-Muslim sentiment and lead reputable companies to make foolish judgment calls.
    • Video: Do You Listen to Bigotry?
  • CAIR: CIA OK with Partnership on NYPD Muslim Spying
    [CAIR], a Muslim advocacy group in the United States, referred to the alleged activities as a "potentially illegal program" to monitor the Muslim communities in New York and New Jersey.

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